M-16 Stahlhelm codes

[DennyB]

Does anyone have a list of what the codes were on the M-16/18 stahlhelms? I am looking for a size 68 and all that I have seen on eBay appear to be fakes that have been humped up and the dealer "doesn't know for sure if it is original or not" which tells me that it is for sure a fake.
I know that sounds unbelievable but there are dealers out there trying to pass fake items that have been aged artificially as originals
Also, if anyone knows what codes are being faked would be helpful too.

[RelicHunter]

http://germanhelmetsinc.com/faq.htm

At the bottom of the link it has all the model sizes and manufacture codes.

I would imagine the size 68 is the most faked, as its the rarest and most sought after.

[DennyB]

Thank you very much! That was exactly what I needed!
Denny

[Hans K.]

Denny, the maker list on German helmets inc. isn't quite accurate. For example, he has SE and LI down as codes (these didn't exist during WW1), and has companies such as Röchling listed as a maker. Röchling supplied steel but never actually manufactured helmets.

Below is a list I made up for the GHW forum a few years ago.

(Note that only 3 makers are known to have manufactured size 68 shells: E.T., T.J. and K&M. The last maker is nearly impossible to find.)

Hans

German Steel Helmet Manufacturers 1916 - 18:

Code, Maker name, location - (shell sizes made)

1. E.T. - Eisenhüttenwerke Thale A.G., Thale /Harz - (all sizes; 60 through 68) Premier maker. The only manufacturer of the first model 1916 helmet (square dip) and the M18 ear cut-out.

2. B.F. (F.B. in rare cases) - F.C. Bellinger, Fulda - (sizes 62 and 64 shells)

3. "Bell" L. - Richard Lindenberg A.G., Remscheid-Hasten - (size 64 shells)

4. G. - Gebrüder Gnüchtel A.G., Lauter i./Sa. - (size 62 shells)

5. G.B.N. - Gebrüder Bing A.G., Nürnberg - (size 64 shells) The only Bavarian manufacturer

6. K. - J. & H. Kerkmann, Ahlen/Westf. - (size 64 shells)

7. K&M - Körting & Mathiesen, Leutsch /Leipzig - (only size 68 is known) This maker is truly rare.

8. N.J. (the "J" is likely an "I") - Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke, Schwerte i/Westf. - (size 62)

9. Q. - F.W. Quist, Esslingen/Neckar - (size 66)

10. Si. - Eisenhütte Silesia, Paruschowitz Oberschlesien - (sizes 62, 66 shells)

11. superimposed S over H stamp - Siemens & Halske A.G., Siemenstadt Berlin - (Size 60)

12. T.J. (again, the "J" is likely an "I") - C. Thiel & Söhne, Lübeck - (sizes 66,68)

13. W. - Hermann Weissenburger & Co., Stuttgart-Cannstatt - (size 66)

[Hoss]

This list should be pinned here also with appreciation of the GHW and Hans as a reference for new collectors and those among us who cannot spell! imo

Eric

[DennyB]

Thank you very much Eric! The Wehrmacht Awards Forum is worth every penny for the amount of information I get here!
Denny

[C. Roelens]

Good job Hans. I saved this list a long time ago, and would recommend others do the same.

Chuck

[DennyB]

Thanks Hans, I just noticed it was you that posted that, I appreciate it!

[ROBB]

Denny, the maker list on German helmets inc. isn't quite accurate. For example, he has SE and LI down as codes (these didn't exist during WW1), and has companies such as Röchling listed as a maker. Röchling supplied steel but never actually manufactured helmets.

Below is a list I made up for the GHW forum a few years ago.

(Note that only 3 makers are known to have manufactured size 68 shells: E.T., T.J. and K&M. The last maker is nearly impossible to find.)

Hans

German Steel Helmet Manufacturers 1916 - 18:

Code, Maker name, location - (shell sizes made)

1. E.T. - Eisenhüttenwerke Thale A.G., Thale /Harz - (all sizes; 60 through 68) Premier maker. The only manufacturer of the first model 1916 helmet (square dip) and the M18 ear cut-out.

2. B.F. (F.B. in rare cases) - F.C. Bellinger, Fulda - (sizes 62 and 64 shells)

3. "Bell" L. - Richard Lindenberg A.G., Remscheid-Hasten - (size 64 shells)

4. G. - Gebrüder Gnüchtel A.G., Lauter i./Sa. - (size 62 shells)

5. G.B.N. - Gebrüder Bing A.G., Nürnberg - (size 64 shells) The only Bavarian manufacturer

6. K. - J. & H. Kerkmann, Ahlen/Westf. - (size 64 shells)

7. K&M - Körting & Mathiesen, Leutsch /Leipzig - (only size 68 is known) This maker is truly rare.

8. N.J. (the "J" is likely an "I") - Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke, Schwerte i/Westf. - (size 62)

9. Q. - F.W. Quist, Esslingen/Neckar - (size 66)

10. Si. - Eisenhütte Silesia, Paruschowitz Oberschlesien - (sizes 62, 66 shells)

11. superimposed S over H stamp - Siemens & Halske A.G., Siemenstadt Berlin - (Size 60)

12. T.J. (again, the "J" is likely an "I") - C. Thiel & Söhne, Lübeck - (sizes 66,68)

13. W. - Hermann Weissenburger & Co., Stuttgart-Cannstatt - (size 66)

Just got an SI 68 . Rob


Ok no I didn't its SI66 just compared it to my other SI66 and its the same measurements. The stamping looked like SI68 my bad . Rob

[RHScott]

I have a TJ68 in the original smooth somewhat shinny olivegreenish paint and it has the AK and 68 ink marks on the inside of the rear skirt. Seems like lighter metal when held along with a WWII model.

[juoneen]

Whats the helm marking number for a berndorfer that uses the bear marking ?

[HumanBonb]

Hello there,
I do not see the manufacturer Krupp in the list? is this normal?

[RGD51]

Krupp may have been a purveyor of steel but not necessarily a fabricator of helmet shells per se. Krupp is not a known maker to my knowledge.

Robt.

[Hans K.]

Hello there,
I do not see the manufacturer Krupp in the list? is this normal?

I'll have to look it up again, but if I remember correctly Krupp was one of the companies whose test helmets were rejected during the helmet development stage in late 1915. The steel was either too brittle or soft.

[HumanBonb]

Hello and thank you.

Many German helmets have no markings stamped into the steel cold but the ink pad as follows:

It reminds me of the buffer Krupp.